Markable

Before the final two squads in the World Cup face off on July 13 in Brazil, FIFA will get fans pumped up for the last winner-take-all match with the customary closing ceremony. Organizers unveiled the ceremony's entertainment on Thursday, tapping Shakira, Santana and Wyclef, and Brazilian stars Carlinhos Brown, Alexandre Pires and Ivete Sangaloto, to perform.See also: Katy Perry Sued by Christian Artists Claiming She Stole 'Dark Horse' Shakira, making her third consecutive appearance at the World Cup since 2006, will perform "La La La (Brazil 2014)" with Brown. Meanwhile, Santana, Wyclef and Pires will take on "Dar Um Jeito (We Will Find a Way)," which is this year's World Cup anthem. Sangaloto and Pires will add homegrown zest with a medley of Brazilian songs. There's no word on whether "Hips Don't Lie" sensation Shakira will recruit backups from the Colombian players, who last month used their hips to celebrate a goal  and caused an announcer to blurt out, "Move over, Shakira, there's a new Colombian No. 1." Shakira's "La La La" music video features flags and fans from countries participating in the World Cup, and athletes are shown playing soccer during some portions of the clip.

"I have an intricate relationship with football for obvious reasons, and I truly understand what the World Cup means to so many people, myself included," Shakira said in a statement. "I just feel so grateful for the opportunity to come back to perform ... it feels right." The opening ceremony featured Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull and  Claudia Leitte.

 

Google unveiled a fun new game this week that tests players' geography and trivia skills.

Called "Smarty Pins" the game starts players off with 1,000 miles (or 1,609 kilometers if they're not based in the United States), and asks them to drop a pin on the city that corresponds with the correct answer to a given question. If the answer is incorrect, the player's miles are reduced by the distance the answer was off. For example, if the answer to a question was Philadelphia but the user chose New York City, Smarty Pins would subtract 94 miles from the total score. The goal is to correctly answer as many questions as possible before the number of miles reaches zero. Players can also gain bonus points if they answer in the first 10 seconds without using hints.

In Smarty Pins, which uses Google Maps for its layout, players can zoom in and out to pinpoint specific locations, including landmarks. They can choose general trivia questions, or select from a list of categories, including entertainment, sports and games, history and current events, arts and culture, science and geography, and featured topics. The game provides instant feedback on a player's response, including phrases that are both encouraging ("Outstanding! You dazzle us with your geographical knowledge!") and snarky ("Hey, even Columbus took a few years to find the right way.")

Google previously released other games, including Santa Maps Dive and Spell Up. For its part, Smarty Pins is similar to a game called GeoGuessr, which challenges players to identify a photo by clicking its location on Google Maps

The United States’ World Cup dream ended on Tuesday night with a 2-1 extra-time defeat to Belgium in the round of 16.   After the Americans clung on desperately to keep the game scoreless after 90 minutes of regulation, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku struck in the first additional period to knock the U.S. out of the tournament.   Late substitute Julian Green got one back for the U.S. with 13 minutes to go, but it was not enough to avoid being eliminated at this stage for the second straight World Cup. 
"After 120 minutes we gave everything to the fans and the crowd," U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. "It was a real drama, a real thriller. We had enough opportunities to equalize at the end or even put it away earlier. But I have to be complimentary to Belgium for moving on to the quarterfinals."   Depleted by injuries and visibly exhausted, Klinsmann’s side had to withstand a near-constant attacking onslaught from a talented Belgian side. The onus to do so was almost solely on Team USA`s stalwart goalkeeper Tim Howard, and he delivered one of the best performances of the tournament in a losing effort.  Belgium had 38 shots and 27 of them were on goal. Howard finished the game with 16 saves – the most in a World Cup game since 1966 – and was named Man of the Match for his memorable outing.   "The way Tim played tonight was just phenomenal, was just outstanding," Klinsmann said. "He kept us in the game a long time. If we kept going forward we would get chances, too, but he had an absolutely amazing match tonight."   After going two goals down, the response from the U.S. was one of extraordinary courage. Green, the 19-year-old whose inclusion sparked such controversy, made a near-instant impact, volleying home Michael Bradley’s chip just minutes after replacing Alejandro Bedoya."He knew that he might get his chance today," Klinsmann said. "It was just phenomenal the way he came in and scored that goal and gets us back. We just needed a little bit more. It was fun to watch that kid grow."   With eight minutes left a well-worked free-kick found Clint Dempsey in the box, but the U.S. captain’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Belgium held on to advance to the quarterfinal, where it`ll face Argentina.   "Everybody said we had no football," Belgium coach Marc Wilmots said. "I think we saw a lot of football from Belgium tonight, so there shouldn`t be any more worries from the media. We passed the first round and now we`ve passed the round of 16."   And so an extraordinary journey, one that saw the U.S. progress from the Group of Death and exhilarate the nation in the process, finally came to an end after a thrilling and emotional ride.   "It was a game where we went to the extreme," Klinsmann said. "We are very, very proud of our team and every player stepping on the field. They gave everything they had. They made their country proud with their performance in this World Cup."

Angel Di Maria`s extra-time winner kept Argentina`s World Cup dream alive on Tuesday as they scrambled into the quarter-finals with a dramatic 1-0 win over Switzerland.  Argentina had failed to muster much by way of chances but just two minutes before the penalty shoot-out, Lionel Messi picked out Di Maria for his priceless strike.  Switzerland nearly grabbed an equaliser at the death when Blerim Dzemaili`s header cannoned off the foot of the post and he sent the rebound wide of the goal.  The final result was greeted with an ecstatic roar by the Argentine-dominated crowd as the Albiceleste headed for a last-eight clash with Belgium or USA, who play later.
Although cruel for the Swiss, it provided a memorable swansong for their celebrated coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, who is quitting football and learned of his brother`s death not long before the match.  The game started cagily but the closely guarded Messi carved Argentina`s first opening when he glided into the box and crossed behind the defence.  Messi`s glorious flick of the boot left two defenders standing on the right wing but there were nothing more than half-chances in the first 20 minutes.  It was Switzerland who nearly scored when Shaqiri wriggled into the box and found Granit Xhaka, whose solid shot was blocked on the line by goalkeeper Sergio Romero.  Switzerland had an even better chance when Josip Drmic found himself one-on-one with Sergio Romero. But his attempted chip was painfully gentle and lobbed gently into Romero`s hands.  Soon after the break, Drmic let another golden chance slip when Shaqiri picked him out in the box, but this time he fired well off-target.  Argentina, getting little change through the middle, switched to pumping in crosses and it nearly paid off when Higuain`s header was tipped over the bar.  Higuain failed to connect properly with another cross from the right, before Messi struck one from distance which flew narrowly over the top.  Argentina had their best chance when Messi`s cross found Rodrigo Palacio, who had just come on for Lavezzi but he could only glance his header wide.  With extra-time looming and the crowd growing tense, Messi went at the defence with a short, jinking run and shot which was smothered by Swiss `keeper Diego Benaglio.  Tempers flared and referee Jonas Eriksson intervened when Messi tangled with Valon Behrami, and appeared to shove him to the ground. But the Argentine captain escaped without a caution.  Despite being under pressure, the Swiss had a chance for a last-minute winner. But from a deep free-kick, defender Fabian Schaer couldn`t keep his header on target.  Extra-time arrived and with it more tension as the 63,000 fans nervously watched an increasingly timid Argentina, while Switzerland became more and more bold.  Shouts of "Ole, ole!" rang out with each Swiss pass and Shaqiri railed at referee Eriksson when he inadvertently got in the way and prodded a short pass of his own.  Argentina regrouped for the second period of extra-time and Di Maria nearly broke the deadlock when his rasping shot was palmed away from the top corner by Benaglio.  Switzerland looked to be holding out for penalties -- a dangerous game as, although Behrami was shackling Messi, Di Maria saw another shot deflected wide.  And their defence finally crumbled when Palacio won the ball in midfield and fed Messi, who ran forward and found Di Maria who this time made no mistake with his left foot.

Germany survived a huge test of their World Cup title credentials to see off underdogs Algeria in extra time and set up a quarter-final meeting with France.

   The three-time champions lacked urgency throughout the 90 minutes and frequently looked rattled as an enterprising Algeria wasted a succession of chances in an open, exciting encounter, before Andre Schurrle finished from close range early in the first additional period.   Mesut Ozil drilled in to double their lead and although Abdelmoumene Djabou volleyed home to ensure a frantic end, a relieved Germany held on and will take on the French in Rio on Friday.   The result looked inevitable once a hugely impressive Algeria side began to tire, but Joachim Low`s men will have to improve dramatically if they are to secure a first World Cup since 1990.   Germany are into the last eight for the 17th time in 18 World Cup appearances, but they lacked the fluency and cutting edge that has seen them installed among the tournament favourites.   Algeria could not mark their first experience of the knockout stage with a win, meaning Africa`s representation in Brazil is over, but they depart with immense credit for a superb campaign.   The build-up was dominated by talk of them seeking revenge for 1982, when West Germany`s convenient 1-0 win against Austria saw them both reach the second round at Algeria`s expense.   They beat the Germans in the group stage that year and looked determined to produce a repeat.   With a 4-1-3-2 formation and five changes to their starting line-up that saw playmaker Yacine Brahimi drop to the bench, the Desert Foxes appeared to be set up defensively.   But after an early spell of German pressure, they went in search of a shock lead and almost found it.   Manuel Neuer made a vital challenge on Islam Slimani after Faouzi Ghoulam`s ball up the left wing eluded Per Mertesacker, and it subsequently took an important tackle from the Arsenal centre-half to deny the same man.

Disgraced Uruguay striker Luis Suarez apologised Monday to Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini for the bite that saw him banned for four months and expelled from the World Cup.  Suarez acknowledged for the first time that the Italian was bitten. "I deeply regret what occurred," said the 27-year-old Liverpool striker.  "I apologise to Giorgio Chiellini and the entire football family," said a statement on Suarez`s official Twitter account.  "I vow to the public there will never again be another incident like" it, he added.  Chiellini, who said the ban was excessive, reacted quickly to Suarez`s apology.  "It`s all forgotten. I hope FIFA will reduce your suspension," he tweeted.  Suarez bit Chiellini during Uruguay`s 1-0 win over Italy on June 24 which took the South Americans into the World Cup last 16. They were beaten by Colombia on Sunday.  The prolific striker denied the charges against him. He told a FIFA disciplinary commission that he had lost his balance and there was no bite.  But within 48 hours of the incident, Suarez was handed a four month ban from all football activities, suspended from nine internationals and fined 100,000 Swiss francs (112,000 dollars). It was his third offence of biting an opponent. 

 

He returned on Friday to Uruguay where the sanction has caused national outrage. President Jose Mujica slammed FIFA leaders as "sons of bitches" for imposing the sanction.  But Suarez said: "After several days of being home with my family, I have had the opportunity to regain my calm and reflect about the reality of what occurred during the Italy-Uruguay match on June 24, 2014.  He said there had been "contradicting declarations" of the events but that he had no "intention of interfering with the good performance of my national team.  "The truth is that my colleague Giorgio Chiellini suffered the physical result of a bite in the collision he suffered with me. For this:  "I deeply regret what occurred. I apologize to Giorgio Chiellini and the entire football family. I vow to the public that there will never again be another incident like."  Despite Suarez`s denials, the disciplinary commission gave a damning assessment of Suarez`s actions in its final report, which was leaked to various media.  It said "the offence was carried out directly against an opposing player, while the ball was not being disputed, and it was done deliberately, intentionally and without provocation."  Several football leaders inside and outside FIFA have said that Suarez -- one of the best strikers in the world but also one of the most temperamental -- should seek counselling.  FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said at the World Cup that Suarez had to "find a way to stop doing it. He should go through a treatment. It is definitely wrong."  The international professional footballer`s union FIFPro said FIFA should have made mandatory treatment part of its sanction.  Many have pointed to Suarez`s past offences however.  He served a seven-game ban for biting a player in November 2010 when he was with Dutch side Ajax and a 10 game suspension after biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic while playing for Liverpool in April 2013.  Suarez also hurled racial abuse at Manchester United`s Patrice Evra during a Premier League game in October 2011 and was banned for eight matches.  At the 2010 World Cup he caused a storm of controversy by stopping a certain winning goal by Ghana on the goalline with his hand. Uruguay went on to win a penalty shootout.  Since the latest furore, Suarez has lost a sponsorship deal with a gambling website and Adidas, the sports equipment giant, said it would not use any Suarez adverts during the World Cup.  But media reports say that Barcelona and Real Madrid are still interested in buying the player from Liverpool.  

A Paul Pogba header and a Joseph Yobo own goal saw France edge a hard-fought contest with Nigeria 2-0 in Brasilia on Monday to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.  Pogba broke the deadlock in the 79th minute, nodding into an empty net after Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who plays for French club Lille, failed to collect a corner.  It was a cruel moment for Enyeama, but rewarded a barrage of French pressure sparked by the introduction of Antoine Griezmann, who forced Yobo to put through his own goal in injury time.  "I am very proud of what we have achieved," said France coach Didier Deschamps.  "We were athletic, there were a lot of duels but we didn`t let up."  Pogba was ecstatic at being so pivotal to the result.  "To score a goal for your country in such an important game is one of the biggest moments of my life," he said.  Deschamps`s France will now await the winners of Monday`s other last-16 tie between Germany and Algeria, who they will meet at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on July 4.  African champions Nigeria, meanwhile, must wait to sample the last eight at a World Cup, following defeat in their first knockout-phase match at the tournament since the 1998 competition in France.  Stephen Keshi`s side nonetheless departed to the sound of warm applause from the fans crammed into the cavernous Mane Garrincha National Stadium, who allied themselves with Nigeria`s cause from the off.  While France, who showed six changes, started purposefully, their final ball frequently let them down, which handed Nigeria opportunities to use their pace on the counter-attack.  Emmanuel Emenike thought he had put Nigeria ahead in the 19th minute when he deftly prodded in an in-swinging cross from Ahmed Musa, but the offside flag allowed French heart rates to return to normal.  France looked more threatening when they were able to bring the recalled Mathieu Valbuena into the game.  When the Marseille midfielder teed up Pogba for a vicious volley mid-way through the first half, it took a stunning reflex save from Enyeama to keep the game scoreless.  Onazi stretchered off  Another intelligent pass from Valbuena then gave Mathieu Debuchy a sight of goal, but the Newcastle United right-back drilled wide.  Late in the first half Emenike took aim from range, but Hugo Lloris was able to parry.  Nigeria suffered a blow early in the second period when Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi had to be stretchered off after an ugly, ankle-high challenge by Blaise Matuidi, who escaped with only a caution.  Faced with growing Nigeria pressure, Deschamps introduced Griezmann in place of Olivier Giroud with half an hour to play and the move quickly paid immediate dividends.  After Lloris had saved from Peter Odemwingie, a one-two between Karim Benzema and Griezmann set the Real Madrid man clear, but although he squeezed the ball past Enyeama, Victor Moses was on hand to hook clear.  It was to prove a temporary reprieve.  Yohan Cabaye, back from suspension, saw a 20-yard half-volley crash back off the bar before Enyeama had to produce a finger-tip save to touch a Benzema header over the bar.  It was the second fine stop of the match from the 31-year-old, but seconds later his failure to claim Valbuena`s left-wing corner allowed Juventus midfielder Pogba to head in at the back post.  Enyeama then palmed a shot from Griezmann over the bar, but France made it 2-0 at the death when Yobo, under pressure from Griezmann, inadvertently steered Valbuena`s drilled cross into his own net.